Sheffield pro lifers hold roadside vigil

30 members of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) www.spuc.org.uk from Sheffield and Rotherham gathered on the approach road to Meadowhall Shopping Centre on Saturday.

They formed a chain, standing along the kerbside at intervals holding placards which bring home the reality of abortion.

Michael Hill, SPUC's vice-chairman who was present at the vigil, said: "The two-hour vigil recieved many 'thumbs-up' signs of support from passing vehicles, along with a relatively small number of less supportive 'gestures'. "This year's event was made all the more challenging by the presence of a group of university students intent on holding a counter-demonstration in support of abortion. Unfortunately for them, their whistles and shouts were lost on passengers in cars unable to hear them! Despite their presence at no point did we feel intimidated, rather we took the opportunity to engage with some of the students, and were able to present the pro-life view in mutually-respectful discussion."

"All things considered, this year's event was arguably the most effective roadside witness ever held here in Sheffield, and I know that a number of those young people went away with much to think about, even, perhaps with the seeds of a very different view point", concluded Mr Hill.

The Abortion Act 1967 came into effect on 27 April 1968. Since then well over seven-and-a-half million unborn children have been killed through registered abortion in Britain.

This figure does not include abortions which may be caused by birth control drugs and devices.

Nor does it include the number of embryos destroyed or discarded during and after in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

A local SPUC supporter: Two more local SPUC supporters: SPUC supporters discuss with university students: For more information, please contact Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, on 020 7820 3129 or 07939 177683 or news@spuc.org.uk